Home > Subjects > Biology > Level 3 > 3.5 Evolutionary Processes > Subject content
- Subject: Biology
- AS: AS 91605
- Level: 3
- Credits: 4
- External
Biology 3.5 Demonstrate understanding of evolutionary processes leading to speciation
Subject content
Evolutionary processes involve the following biological ideas:
- evolutionary change at the population level which reflects underlying changes in allele frequencies
- role of mutation
- gene flow
- role of natural selection and
- directional selection,
- stabilizing selection,
- disruptive selection
- role of genetic drift
- modes of speciation -
- sympatric,
- allopatric
- reproductive isolating mechanisms that contribute to speciation –
- geographical,
- temporal,
- ecological,
- behavioural,
- structural barriers,
- polyploidy)
- patterns such as:
- divergence,
- convergence,
- adaptive radiation,
- co-evolution,
- punctuated equilibrium,
- gradualism.
Scientific evidence for evolution, which may include examples from New Zealand’s flora and fauna, will be selected from:
- fossil evidence
- comparative anatomy
- homologous structures
- analogous structures
- molecular biology –
- proteins
- DNA analysis
- biogeography
There will be an emphasis on groups that contain New Zealand examples. However, there may also include contexts and examples from elsewhere in the world.
